Sept 29 (Reuters) - Videogame giant Electronic Arts ( EA )

will be taken private in a record-breaking $55 billion

leveraged buyout by a consortium consisting of private equity

firm Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and

Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, the company said Monday.

The deal for the maker of "Battlefield" underscores how

deep-pocketed investors are betting on the enduring value of

blockbuster game franchises as the industry recovers from a

prolonged downturn.

The deal would rank as one of the largest leveraged buyouts

in history, surpassing 2007's buyout of TXU Energy and other

major buyouts of that decade including Toys 'R' Us and Hertz.

Under the deal, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share

in cash, representing a premium of 25% as of the closing share

price on September 25 before reports of a deal emerged.

The take-private offer comes at a crucial time for EA,

which is banking heavily on its core sports portfolio and action

shooter intellectual property to weather a sluggish videogame

industry as gamers get picky with spending.

The offer comes as Electronic Arts ( EA ) gears up to launch the

much-awaited "Battlefield 6" in an industry where gamers stick

to proven and recognizable titles.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the first

quarter of fiscal year 2027, will be funded by a combination of

cash from PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, as well as a

roll-over of the PIF's existing stake in EA.

EA must pay a $1 billion fee if it terminates the merger due

to a board reversal, accepts a higher bid, or pursues another

deal within a year of a shareholder rejection.

The consortium owes the same amount if regulatory delays

push completion past Sept. 28, 2026, or if it breaches the

agreement.